3 Questions With

SMC has so much in store for audiences when we hit the McCaw Hall stage for Bette, Babs & Beyoncé on June 23 & 24. Meet just some of the singers who will be belting, shimmying and strutting their stuff, diva style!

Dante Rodriguez, soloist, "Waterfalls"

Who is your favorite diva? Oh. My. Cher. She is timeless. And have you read her tweets?

Best film starring Bette, Babs or Beyoncé? I spent most of my life wondering why gay men were so obsessed with Barbra Streisand and then I watched Funny Girl and my life was changed forever.

What’s your favorite thing about rehearsing for this concert? With the new seating arrangement, getting to sit in the front row for a brief time before they put us tall gals in the back. Paul is funnier the closer to him you sit.

Jeffrey Erickson, soloist, "No More Tears (Enough is Enough)"

Who is your favorite diva? Beyoncé - her talent level is other worldly ...what can't she do??!

How are you celebrating Pride? Brunch with friends...followed by dancing with the goal of waking up Monday remembering what happened!

Which song from the concert would feature on the soundtrack of your life? "Walking on Broken Glass" - I remember being at my cousin's house when that song came out...I listened to it for hours on repeat while everyone played outside on the trampoline...I was 12 years old....only one of the many early signs of my gay fabulousness!

Chris Hoffman, soloist, "Teenage Dream"

Who is your favorite diva? Cher. She's a talented and creative icon who has never been anything but a positive inspiration to her fans. She's one-of-a-kiiiiiihhhnd ::hairflip::

How are you celebrating Pride? Going to both Portland and Seattle Pride this year. Marching with SMC in Seattle.

Best film starring Bette, Babs or Beyoncé? Dreamgirls - but that's largely due to Jennifer Hudson's incomparable performance.

Daniel Smith, soloist, "Walking on Broken Glass"

Who is your favorite diva? Barbra Streisand. I've listened to her my entire life. My mom was a nightclub singer and sang many of her songs. If it's a sunny morning and I'm off and happy, her music is my soundtrack.

Which song from the concert would feature on the soundtrack of your life? "Don't Rain on My Parade." I think being uniquely you is what life is about.

What’s your favorite thing about rehearsing for this concert? "Enough is Enough." That song was like the Superbowl when it came out. Donna Summer singing with Barbra Streisand? OMG. It happens a lot now but that crossover was epic.

Link Hughes, soloist, "From a Distance"

Who is your favorite diva? I fell in love with Amanda Palmer on a trip home to Maine, when I was in college. I loved her raw, emotional sound, and it's been a joy following her career since then.

Best film starring Bette, Babs or Beyoncé? As a kid, I loved Bette Midler's creepy/funny performance in Hocus Pocus.

What’s your favorite thing about rehearsing for this concert? It's been wonderful rehearsing with Paul and being challenged by him, as a chorus, to grow and never stop improving our musicianship.

Joel Kimmel-Staebler, soloist, "9 to 5"

Who is your favorite diva? I love Annie Lennox, her music is so timeless and relatable. Also, I really admire the way she has challenged gender norms her entire career.

Which song from the concert would feature on the soundtrack of your life? "No More Tears," as the accompanying theme for the current administration.

What’s your favorite thing about rehearsing for this concert? When Paul told us to sing "Turn Back Time" using "Cher vowels."

Roman Wadsworth, soloist, "If I Could Turn Back Time"

Who is your favorite diva? Mariah Carey. At her peak nobody has ever had a voice that could be used as much like an orchestra of instruments! And an amazing song writer too! Seventeen of her eighteen #1 hits (more than any other single artist male or female) she wrote!

Best film starring Bette, Babs or Beyoncé? My favorite Movie isBeaches with Bette Midler. I loved Nuts With Barbara Streisand. And Austin Powers Goldmember with Beyoncé.

What’s your favorite thing about rehearsing for this concert? My favorite rehearsal moments are just being next to my great friends David Brannon and Tim Baccus every Monday night! And knowing that I get to share what I love doing most in this world with my husband and lower bass, Vince Stansbury.